Ammunition & Hand Loading > Cartridge and Shotshell reloading

I am finally handloading .223

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shooter:
 I started loading in 1975, I had a type 6 ffl to make and sell reloaded ammo for years.

    If you are loading .223 for a semi auto, you must use small base dies, RCBS makes them

    https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011716114/rcbs-small-base-2-die-set

     and a C&H taper crimp die, Ive tried all the brands and these work best, some people make combination seater -taper crimp, they DONT WORK,  stick with what works,

    also must trim the brass after sizing. that's the biggest problem people have with reloading brass, slightly different lengths of brass  will collapse the shoulder when seating a bullet. only slightly, but enough to not allow the case to chamber
   

SemperFiGuy:

--- Quote --- also must trim the brass after sizing.
--- End quote ---

Do What Shooter Sez.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

First,
Check to see if the brass needs trimming.   If you don't have a Go-NOGO gauge, no problem.   You can set your vernier calipers for the maximum trim length and then lock them down with the locking screw.   Then use the calipers as a NOGO gauge.

If the case is too long, then camming the bolt will cram the neck of the case hard into the throat of the chamber.   Doing so will add X-tra bullet crimp at the cartridge neck.   With X-tra hard crimp, chamber pressures can be raised up to NO-NO Levels.  You will want to avoid the higher chamber pressures. 

[Otherwise, the fired cased will then be hard-stuck in the chamber and the bolt will not open.   Then you will hit the bolt with your rubber mallet from your car trunk.   Then you will learn that bolt-handles are brazed on, not integral with the bolt.   You will look for the bolt-handle in the tall grass.  Hopefully, you will find it.   Eventually.  Then you will be glad your brought your Second Rifle in the Same Caliber, so that you do not have to drive 250 miles back home, muttering Things Your Wife Doesn't Want You to Say.   I HAVE NEVER DONE THIS MYSELF.  Just Sayin'....    Best to trim the cartridge cases.]

If the case is too long, then set your cartridge case trimmer down to the minimum.   Then trim, debur, and chamfer, inside and ouside the neck.   Will get more shots between maximum case neck "growth" that way.

RECOMMEND:   Neck-sizing (only) if you run these cartridges back through the same bolt-action rifle each time.   Use Full-sizing if you shoot the cartridges through a semi-automatic rifle.

Have Fun.   Be Safe.

sfg

Les:
All good advice, mistakes can be costly in more ways than one. :o

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